Lant: Aggressive Week of House Activity

We had a very aggressive session this past week. As the session progresses, more and more bills are brought to the floor for debate. Sessions will continue to get longer and we will begin having two and maybe even three a day in an attempt to get as much accomplished as possible. Our primary focus is jobs, and although some of the bills are controversial, they all get fair hearings in committee and usually much debate on the floor. We do not rush things through just to get them passed and all have bi-partisan support.

We passed HB 76, which reduces over a 5 year period, the corporate franchise tax. This is an additional tax on corporations that most states do not have. It has been levied in addition to corporate income tax and is especially punitive to national corporations and franchises. At a time when states like Illinois are doubling the corporate income taxes, we can lure some of these national corporations to a much better business climate in Missouri.

We also passed HB 276, 233 and 274 which recognizes the rights of a family to privately mourn the loss of a family member. The bill establishes reasonable limits on protesters and provides penalties for violators. It passed with massive bi-partisan support and amendments were added which gives it even more power to discourage protesters. I am proud to say that HB 233 was my first attempt at sponsoring a bill.

HB 61 deals with returning the Missouri minimum wage to the levels set by the federal government. The minimum wage was allowed to raise along with the cost of living but with the government freezing social security for three years due to no increase in the cost of living, Missouri is at a disadvantage when seeking new employers. Uncertainty in labor costs cause prospective new businesses to look elsewhere.

Another measure that received broad bi-partisan support was HB 214 dealing with human trafficking. This is something most people are completely unaware of, but Missouri ranks among the top states for this horrendous practice. This bill enforces and strengthens laws prohibiting this horrid practice.

Next week promises to be a most challenging one with 29 bills already on the calendar! Part of the reason for so much activity is to get the bills through the House and sent to the Senate in a timely manner.

For a history moment this week, lets visit about where and when the Capitol was located. The first seat of government in Missouri was located in St. Louis while admission into the Union was pending in 1820. It was located in the Mansion House at Third and Vine Streets and this is where the convention framing the constitution for the new state was held. The second capitol building was the Missouri Hotel on Main and Morgan Streets in St. Louis. It was here that the first governor and the first two United States Senators were elected. They were David Barton and Thomas H. Benton.

Until next week, I am and remain in your service.